Substate Preview: 4A-6

<!-- wp:image {"id":1797475,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/4A-6.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/4A-6.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1797475" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The favorite: Indianola</strong> has been building for this season for the last few years and the Indians have been impressive, racing to a 19-2 record and a top-10 ranking in both scoring offense (66.2, 6th) and defense (51.8, 9th). The top 10 scorers are all seniors, so this group is extremely experienced, has played together a ton, and is deep with versatile talents. [player_tooltip player_id='956873' first='Drew' last='Kingery'] (15.5, 6.7 rebounds) is the headliner, a 6-6 wing who can score from all three levels, defend multiple positions, and create shots for others. [player_tooltip player_id='1167716' first='Brayden' last='Drea'] (14.7, 4.1 assists) is a tough lead guard and elite shooter who is burying nearly 47% of his 3-point attempts, and Brady Blake (10.5, 36.5 3P%) provides some additional scoring as a combo forward. This is an athletic, quick team that plays really good, disciplined defense, and has six legitimate scoring threats. They play in the Little Hawkeye Conference, which has some teams licking their chops, thinking that this may be the most vulnerable #1 seed of any in 4A, but this team is really, really talented, and they're ready for this moment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The biggest threat: </strong>The defending champions lost a ton of production off of last year's team, but <strong>Ames </strong>has once again been nearly impossible to score against, allowing just 44.4 points a game, second in the class. The Little Cyclones are led by junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1476938' first='Jack' last='Wynter'] (14.2, 38.1 3P%), a lefty sharpshooter who had a breakout week at the state tournament last year and who has carried that momentum into his junior year. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1167706' first='Lucas' last='Lueth'] (11.8, 3.1 blocks) is arguably the best defensive player in the state, regardless of class. A 6-7 wing who can defend point guards through centers, contesting shots and moving his feet. [player_tooltip player_id='1738626' first='Frank' last='Keller'] (9.7, 8.0 rebounds), a move-in from Texas, has been strong on the glass and as another versatile defensive piece. This group can struggle to score at times, but they're going to make it really difficult for opposing teams to score as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The dark horses: Ankeny </strong>owns an early-season win over Ames, their semifinal opponent if they win their first game against Ottumwa. The Hawks are led by a pair of talented juniors in point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171660' first='Carson' last='Johnson'] (14.6, 42.1 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1171676' first='Lio' last='Aguirre'] (13.8). Johnson is a knockdown shooter both off the dribble and the catch while Aguirre is a physical wing who loves to play downhill and attack the rim. This is a quick team hat has shown they can play at an elite level with their win over Waukee, but they've also been a bit inconsistent this season. If they can put together three straight games of good effort, they have the talent to navigate their way to the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (19.4, 2.0 blocks) is one of the best players in Iowa's 2025 class, and he leads a <strong>Linn-Mar </strong>team that can get hot and run off some wins here. A 6-7/6-8 forward who can score inside and out with his feathery stroke as well as protect the rim at a high level. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1167731' first='Jackson' last='Severson'] (12.0) has given the Lions a boost since getting back into the lineup, a three-level scorer and playmaker, and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'] (8.0, 35.9 3P%) is a good shooter with a quick release off the catch and plenty of range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liberty </strong>has had an up-and-down year, but in senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1288867' first='Da'Shon' last='Fisher'] (21.7, 4.0 assists), they have one of the most explosive scorers and playmakers in the class. A 6-2 guard who can put it on the floor and get to the rim at will, he has really improved as a shooter this year, making him extremely dangerous. [player_tooltip player_id='1469777' first='Luke' last='Ramsey'] (11.3, 37.6 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1376683' first='Trey' last='Hughes'] (11.3, 41.7 3P%) are also dangerous shooting threats, and [player_tooltip player_id='1288908' first='Gage' last='Kampman'] (7.2, 2.4 blocks) is a rim-protecting big who can alter game plans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players to watch</span><br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956873' first='Drew' last='Kingery'], Indianola<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167716' first='Brayden' last='Drea'], Indianola<br>2023 Brady Blake, Indianola<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476938' first='Jack' last='Wynter'], Ames<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167706' first='Lucas' last='Lueth'], Ames<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738626' first='Frank' last='Keller'], Ames<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171660' first='Carson' last='Johnson'], Ankeny<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171676' first='Lio' last='Aguirre'], Ankeny<br>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'], Linn-Mar<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167731' first='Jackson' last='Severson'], Linn-Mar<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288867' first='Da'Shon' last='Fisher'], Liberty<br>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469777' first='Luke' last='Ramsey'], Liberty<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376683' first='Trey' last='Hughes'], Liberty<br>2025 Trae Brown, Ottumwa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>SUBSTATE FINAL PREDICTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indianola vs. Ames</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high-powered offensive attack of Indianola against the elite defensive efforts of Ames, this one would be a fun chessmatch to watch. Ames can struggle at times to score, which <strong>Indianola </strong>is able to take advantage of, reaching the state tournament for the first time since 2003. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->